I'd take the stone to the ceiling, but keep it lighter and quieter than the sample. The fireplace wall is already the room's focal point, and a short surround would leave a lot of navy above it, so the new stone may look added on. With 9-foot ceilings, full height won't feel too tall.

I'd use a slim mantel in warm wood or off-white, not a chunky one, and keep the stone close to the cabinet and crown-molding color rather than yellow-beige. Bring home several large samples and stand them next to the white built-ins, wood floor, current blue chairs and future taupe sofa in daylight and evening light. Some cream ledgestone gets much busier when repeated over the whole wall. If every sample looks too textured, I'd do a simple slab or tile surround instead of stopping ledgestone halfway.

Full stone/brick box to the ceiling.